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Expectations are high for Syracuse to make its return to the NCAA Tournament. It failed to qualify for the big dance in each of head coach Gary Gait’s first two years at the helm. But heading into a crucial 2024 season — where SU begins ranked No. 9 nationally, fortified the Faceoff X and added Preseason First-Team All-American midfielder Jake Stevens — this is primed to be the year for Gait to meet the “orange standard.”

Before it enters the heart of its daunting schedule, which includes facing seven of the top eight preseason ranked teams in the country, Syracuse’s first three contests come against unranked, nonconference opponents. The Orange begin their campaign Saturday versus Vermont, a program they defeated 7-5 in the 2023 season opener. The Catamounts are the reigning America East Conference regular-season champions after they went undefeated in AEC play last year.

Here’s how our beat writers think No. 9 Syracuse will fare against Vermont in its season opener at the JMA Wireless Dome:

Zak Wolf (0-0)
Uneventful opener
Syracuse 14, Vermont 7

It’s a brand new season for Syracuse who opens up 2024 with a relatively easy matchup. Despite being the reigning AEC regular season champions, Vermont has lost a lot from last season. The Catamounts lost starting defenders Jackson Canfield and Danny Manning, both of whom combined to make 46 starts in the last two years. Goalie Matt Shaffer is gone as well along with faceoff man Tommy Burke who had a 64.1% career faceoff percentage.

In 2023’s opening game, Vermont tested Syracuse, but the Orange survived, eventually pulling out a tight win. This time around I expect a more lopsided result. With questions surrounding Vermont’s defense and faceoff spot, I expect SU to exploit these weaknesses. Vermont’s two returning faceoff specialists, Gavin Bergeron and Henry Dodge, are a combined 7-for-26 on attempts with neither ever starting a game. Mason Kohn should dominate whoever lines up against him, which in turn will help give the offense more opportunities to score.

I could see this game being tight in the first quarter, just because it’s the first real game action for either team. But ultimately I expect Syracuse to outclass Vermont as the game progresses. But if SU fails to win or even lets Vermont hang around it’ll only raise more questions about a program which has been stuck in mediocrity the past two seasons.

Cooper Andrews (0-0)
Déjà vu
Syracuse 10, Vermont 6

An unanswered four-goal outburst by Vermont left Syracuse trailing 5-4 in the third quarter the last time the two sides met. It was a sloppy affair for SU, which lost the faceoff battle 9-7 and went a season-worst 17-for-24 on clears. Ultimately, though, the back end held strong through the fourth while Joey Spallina and Jackson Birtwistle netted a pair of goals to regain the lead.

I think this next season-opening edition versus Vermont will play out similarly for Syracuse. A new-look defense, with defensive coordinator John Odierna pushing the buttons, should limit UVM top goal-scorer Brock Haley’s production yet again after being held to one point in their previous matchup. Even through potential struggles with a relatively young defensive group, fifth-year goalie Will Mark can easily hold his ground.

Yet I also believe SU’s attack needs to knock off some rust. Spallina still needs time to truly gel with five-star freshman Trey Deere, Lehigh transfer Christian Mulé and offensive-minded midfielders, and Princeton transfers, Stevens and Sam English. As a result, I envision a back and forth flow for the majority of the game. But the Orange have far too much firepower not to pull away late.

Anish Vasudevan (0-0)
Clawing Catamounts
Syracuse 9, Vermont 7

The Catamounts 2023 season came to a resounding halt in the first round of the AEC Tournament. After going undefeated in conference play for the second consecutive year, their offense sputtered against UAlbany, tying a season-low four goals.

They’re coming into 2024 looking for revenge, trying to get back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022. Yes, it is losing a lot of key weapons in all three facets of the game, but the reigning AEC Coach of the Year in Chris Feifs is back. They’re going to find the replacements they need and, because of this, I think the game is going to be a lot closer than Zak predicted.

This is going to be a close game until the fourth quarter, just like it was last year. Still, I think Syracuse is going to come out on top with Spallina, Owen Hiltz and Deere leading the attack. This is the game for Spallina, the faceoff unit and Odierna’s new-look defense to experiment with their identity for the year.

Published on January 31, 2024 at 10:49 pm